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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 07 15 Other - Handout by Mary Brook during Agenda Item 604S July 11, 2009 Winter Springs Boulevard Landscape Assessment Presented by: Mary A. Brook Vice Chairperson TLBD Advisory Committee At our last TLBD meeting, I suggested that our Boulevard was in need of repair. I recommend that we dedicate the $25,000 given to TLBD by the Country Club to Beautify Tuscawilla for repair and refurbishing of the TLBD areas. (Steven stated that he does not intend to do any repairs until next year.) The suggestion was made for me to check it out and report back on my areas of concern. I fully intended to do such, but before I began to evaluate the TLBD areas, I was contacted individually and at different times by 3 Tuscawilla residents, all living in different areas of the community. The first lady pointed our numerous areas on the Boulevard that are in need of refurbishing. The second call was from a couple that requested that I come to their home and talk with them. I went as soon as I returned home that evening and they had real concerns about the Boulevard. I promised that I would look into their concerns. My third call came one morning from a homeowner requesting that I allow her to drive me around and show me her concerns. I rode, she drove and we walked and looked for hours. What she pointed out to me and what I saw was a tremendous disappointment. I have gone entirely through the TLBD areas and provided a write up for you to follow and visit on your own if you choose. I made most of my notes from a car but wish that time had permitted for me to walk the entire area as much more need is visible when you walk. Page 1 My husband went back with me and took pictures and placed them on a CD. These pictures are to give you an idea of the landscaping damage and the repair needed to bring the TLBD areas up to TLBD standards. Page 2 As of 7/11/2009 TLBD LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT -PROBLEM SAMPLES ~~°- ~ ~. ~ fir. s ~, i" Mh ya a y ' ~ 4 x .~, ~~,''R r*~3~. '"0..S„„;: -~ ~'~!'x _, ~N .,, s ~~~ ~~ • 2 ` { ~~ ~ . y ~- . S t .._ ~~, ~. ~ , _ ~j £ } "~i e ~ ~k.l e 1 Y ~ . db~~, ~ ~ ` ~ :rte' -:,.. 'r.~~e ~.'d. ~. "~ rfJ')7~s~//~ 1- l ~5% ~ - y ~, , ~+,~ . ~ ! ° .T ^ _ if a '' ~ °.~ '`+t. a `a]" TM -a ~~' . -.• R ~y ~ ~ ':.. ~ ~. ~~~ . fib" ,v .... ._ IEEE _ _ s .f .'sit ' ` ~~ i ~ ~ I ~~~ ' r' ,r u p - ~r -"-- _. ~ ., .%."S.. L,. ..., .. e,.. GENERAL OBSERVATIONS: • It appears that much of the plant material is in need of fertilization. The University of Florida recommends a granule time release fertilizer. The U of Fl. has found that during the hot month's landscape plants need to be fertilized more often. • The turf has extensive weeds, sedge, dollar weed and other weeds as well. It is especially bad at the fountains. I cannot determine that treatment has or has not been administered. I suggest that this issue be visited with the service. • It does appear that the turf has been fertilized. It is recommended that Iron be administered during the HOT months, to green up the turf. • Many of the large holly trees on the Boulevard appear to be suffering from witch's broom. There is no cure, just a slow death. They need to be evaluated by a Horticulturist from the U of Fl. Crepe Myrtles are a good replacement, but it will be a considerable expense. • The holly trees at the fountains are damaged and diseased and it appears will need to be replaced as well. One of them has most of the front missing and others are damaged as well. This will also be a considerable expense. • It was pointed out to me and I agree there is a real change after we drove across the Bridge just past the Country Club. The landscaping is sparse compared to the Boulevard prior to the Country Club. The beds are not as well maintained and plants are often removed but not replaced. There is more turf, or Jasmine and fewer plants. Many of the trees are of poor quality and a disgrace to the Boulevard. Weeds are plentiful. It needs considerable attention. The homeowner that drove me about referred to this area as "the step-child" of Tuscawilla. After you cross the 2"d Bridge, after East Northern Way, the landscape beds are even worse. The number 1 rule in Landscaping Principles for Florida-Friendly Yards is "Right Plant Right Place" Which means: Make a note of the type of soil, sunlight exposure and Page 4 water conditions of the planting site before you shop. Choose plants that thrive under the conditions noted. If you choose a plant that grows no taller that the desired height for a location then there is no need to shear it. Each time a plant is sheared it takes time and money and injures the plant as well, leaving an open wound and exposing the plant to disease. If the shearer has not been sterilized then disease can be transferred from previous jobs. If a plant must be trimmed then it is best to use a hand held manual clipper and be faithful with sterilization. • Perennials are worthy of consideration for the entry beds and areas in need of color. Another suggestion for adding color about the Boulevard is to the use of Caladiums. They return year after year and give good lasting color. (The Caladium Capital of the World is only 2 hours from Winter Springs.) I notice that there is NO Buldine on Winter Springs Boulevard. Buldine is a tremendous plant for use in a landscape Page 5 SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS OF TLBD MONUMENTS THAT SHOW NEGLECT AND HAVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS TLBD MONUMENTS WINTER SPRINGS BOULEVARD-MAIN ENTRY-FOUNTAINS-SOUTH • Turf poor, lots of sedge and weeds • Large patch of sedge in grass near round end bed on Boulevard. • Top round on Boulevard is vacant of shrubs that match the other side of the Boulevard. Lots of weeds present and mulch lacking. • As we travel on around the back of the fountains, we find loropetalum bed has missing and damaged plants. • Another bed of loropetalum bed has die off. • Weeds in Jasmine • Variegated Pittosporum in to top bed, just over the wall has die back from shearing. • A stump has been left. • A crepe myrtle is badly damaged and needs to be removed and replaced. • A very small holly needs to be replaced with a larger and better tree, such as a crepe myrtle. • As you look to your left, toward the adjoining homeowner's yard, you will find much work to be done on the TLBD property. • Tree coming up in azaleas • Vines running wild • Plants or trees coming up in wax myrtles • Areas bear of plant material • Dead plant near fence • The property has vines and other debris. • There is a large area that is bare, free of sod and vegetation. • The holly trees just over the wall appear to be diseased from shearing with contaminated tools. • The last holly tree has a large section that has been sheared off. • All the hollies are going to need to be replaced with a like shaped shrub. Page 6 • There is a large magnolia tree near the back round bed. The top section has a large tree growing in it. The tree is too large for the bed and has grown up under the magnolia. Also, this top bed does not match the opposite end bed. • This large tree needs to be removed before the root system damages the brick wall that holds the bed. • Trim the Magnolia tree up considerably and plant a Palm to match the opposite end and maintain the look as designed. • The side and back, top and bottom of this entire brick bed is BARE of plant material. This area is an eyesore that is unnecessary with the funding that is available to TLBD. • Moving on around to the front, Azalea near fountain is dead. • Flax lily needs clean up and fill in • Jasmine has weeds and dollar weed even trailing across the top of the plant material. • Weeds are growing in the walls in the fountain area. • Plant material that should be surrounding the "ground box" is sparse and needs to be replaced. • 2nd step gives you a view of the declining variegated Pittosporum. If you do nothing else I strongly suggest that you take the time to look this entire area over keeping in mind this is the introduction to Tuscawilla. WINTER SPRINGS BOULEVARD-MAIN ENTRY-FOUNTAINS-NORTH • As we begin moving up the back side notice that the end round has plant material am assuming that the bed across the Boulevard was in the beginning planted to match this round. • The first large holly is damage and has been sheared up the back side. • The other large hollies appear diseased from shearing and damaged areas have been sheared off. These all will need to be replaced. • This entire back side needs to be cleared of debris all the way to the neighbor's property line. Wild vines need to be removed from plant material along with any dead or unwanted volunteer plants. The entire area needs to be brought up to standards. • There are numerous beds against this Monument that now have NO plant material. It reminds me of a "Foreclosed Home". • The end round has a tree that is "too large" for the top round. The tree needs to be removed before the root system damages the Brick walls. • The end rounds should be matched. Page 7 • The end round and all beds that are now void of plant material should be landscaped. • As you walk along the front of this Monument you will notice weeds growing for some of the top walls near the fountains. • There are weeds, dollar weed and grass in the plant material. • You will see a dead shrub here and there and some just poor plant material that needs to be replaced. • The entire Main Entry Fountains area including all walls and public sidewalks need to be pressure washed by a PROFESSIONAL. TROTWOOD BOULEVARD-NORTH SIDE • There is construction going on in and around this Monument and it will need plant material, weeding and mulching once they have completed their work. • Pittosporums needs fill in. • Stray sweet potato vine needs to be removed from bed. • Monuments do not match. TROTWOOD BOULEVARD-SOUTH SIDE • Pittosporums have holes, need replacement. • Liriope needs fill in. • Hawthorne has die back. • Weed, Mulch and tidy up. DEER RUN DRIVE-EAST SIDE • Top shrub needs to be replace with a Palm to match opposite side • Weed, especially top bed, mulch as needed • Buford holly needs sun and fertilizer • Treat ant bed in grass & ground bed DEER RUN DRIVE-WEST SIDE • Trim Palm • Remove lirope from around Palm, as it grows too high and distracts • Use lirope from top to fill in on the ground level Page 8 • Buford holly is suffering from lack of sun and fertilizer. It is struggling to survive. • Match beds HOWELL CREEK DRIVE-EAST SIDE • Tuscawilla sign is missing • Remove liriope from under Palm, distracts focal and is too high • Trim Palm • Lower plant is needed in 2nd tier. • Fill in Flax lily • Match sides HOWELL CREEK DRIVE-WEST SIDE • Remove liriope from under Palm, distracts focal and is too high • Trim Palm • Lower plant is needed in 2nd tier. • Fill in Flax lily • Match sides DYSON DRIVE-NORTH SIDE As I recall these two monuments were redone about 6 months ago. • Remove Lirope from under the Palm as it is too high and distracts. • Mulch • Fill in plants around bottom. • The white crepes are a tremendous accent. DYSON DRIVE-SOUTH SIDE • Remove Lirope from under the Palm as it is too high and distracts. • Mulch • Fill in plants around bottom Page 9 SHETLAND DRIVE-EAST SIDE (LEFT) • Fill in Pittosporums • Fill in Viburnum • Mulch especially around Golden Mound • Add Flax to match west side • Add Oleander to match other side and to stop bed. • Fill in lirope under oak tree in mulched area SHETLAND DRIVE-WEST SIDE • Fill in lirope • Mulch around Golden Mound TUSCORA Is this Monument maintained by TLBD or The Reserve? (Denise Ritchey) VISTAWILLA NEXT TO HOWELL CREEK RESERVE-WEST SIDE • Weeds in beds. • Add flax lily • Sweet potato vine is growing among lilies • In the bed, to the back, under the 3 white Crepe Myrtles are some dead juniper. VISTAWILLA NEXT TO EAGLES WATCH-EAST SIDE • Palm prior to the Monument needs to have the dead fronds trimmed • The two palms just behind the Monument need some trimming for esthetics • The oak canopy is covered with grape vine, which requires removal to prevent damage to the oak. WINTER SPRINGS BOULEVARD @ SENECA BOULEVARD-SOUTH • The Palm is the focal point of the top tier. The Oleander overpowers and should be removed. Any plants in that area should be much lower in height when at full growth. Palm is slow growing. Page 10 • Bed needs some fill in. • Stray sweet potato vines needs to be removed. WINTER SPRINGS BOULEVARD @ SENECA BOULEVARD-NORTH • The area around this monument has serious weed problems in the Jasmine. SENECA BOUVELARD @ WINTER SPRINGS BOULEVARD • Golden mound need manicuring in both beds. • Weed in beds. • Monuments do not match in plantings. Page 11 SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS OF WINTER SPRINGS BOULEVARD BEDS THAT SHOW NEGLECT AND HAVE IMMEDIATE NEEDS Bed # 1 BEGINS AT WINTER SPRINGS BOULEVARD EAST OF TUSKAWILLA RD • Replace annuals. • Indian Hawthorne just after the Flag Pole with die back. • Near address # 1115, there is severe die back of the azalea bed and plants need to be replaced. • Indian Hawthorne, which is in shade, is dead and needs replacing • Opposite side also has die back of Indian Hawthorne and plants need to be replaced. • At #1116, Buford holly needs sun but is in the shade and has overhead watering, which are two strikes against survival. Bed #2 Gazelle Trail to Northern Way Indian Hawthorne is dead, needs replacing. • Die Back beside Cootie. • Liriope is sparse, near #1207 needs additional in bed, here and there. Bed #3 East of Northern Way • Pittosporum appears to be suffering from overhead watering and needs to be replaced. • Aztec grass needs redoing/replacing. Bed # 4 Entry into Shopping Center • 2 beds of Indian Hawthorne damaged, plants missing, appear to have died but were not replaced. • Check Holly trees for Witches Broom. Page 12 Bed # 5 Hillary Drive • Some Indian Hawthorne needs replacing • Holly fern is scorched, needs to be removed. Coontie should work well there. • Aztec looks good. • Liriope needs a boost, perhaps needs water and plants added. • Grass also appears to need water. • Perhaps the sprinkler is not providing adequate coverage. • #1308 Grass needs repair or to be replaced. • #1314 Grass needs repair or to be replaced. Bed # 6 Tusca Oaks and Augusta National (Augusta National & Woodleaf) • Green Pittosporum need to be replaced • Indian Hawthorne, last bed under oaks, dead. • Dead Pine • Dead azaleas • Area under pines has sparse grass. • Corner of pittosporums damaged, perhaps due to mower, needs replacing. • Azaleas in full sun around 3 palm trees struggling to survive, need shade. • Entire bed of Indian Hawthorne in complete die back, needs replacing. Bed # 7 Arrowhead entrance to Whitehall • Die back on Hawthornes • Azalea bed near Georgetown needs some replacing. Bed # 8 (Georgetown entry) Whitehall to Tuscora • Indian Hawthorne Dead, needs replacing. • Check 5 large Holly trees for witches broom., • Azaleas need replacing. • Weeds in grass. • Gold Mounds need fine tuning or replacing. Bed # 9 Tuscora and Country Club Entry • Bare bed under 4 palms where holly trees were removed. This bed requires landscaping. Page 13 • Holly fern in full sun is dead or dying and needs to be replaced. • Indian Hawthorne is dead. • Some dead scheff [era on corners • Holly fern needs to be replaced. It cannot cope with full sun and needs water. Bed # 10 Country Club Entry at Tennis Courts • Die back of Azaleas, needs fill in. • Aztec grass looks good. • Pittosporums are struggling, holes about. • Azaleas dead next to Wedgewood Tennis Villas • Liriope needs fill in. Bed # 11 Wedgewood Tennis Villas at Forrest Hills Drive to Bridge • Replace damaged Golden Mound • Azalea dying back. • Indian Hawthorne damaged • Side Next to Villas, Patches of grass need to be removed or sod entire area. This really appears unkempt. Bed # 12 East of Bridge before Greenbiar • Check for witches broom..5 Holley trees, • Indian Hawthorne die back. • Azalea die back next to Nature Trail • End of bed dead Bed # 13 Greenbriar to Fox Glenn Entry • Pittosporums, some missing and some others in bad shape. • Indian Hawthorne • Walters viburnum needs to be replaced • Indian Hawthorne has dead spots and shrubs are missing • Weeds are in beds and also dollar weed. • Poor grade of trees on right of Boulevard. How were they approved for use on the Boulevard? Requirements from the city state that only Class A trees are to be allowed. • Holly fern dead Page 14 • Large Ligustrum tree tipped over and stressed • Azalea die back next to Nature Trail • Lirope missing, needs to be filled in • Extensive damage to plants and weeds in end of bed at Fox Glen • This entire bed needs attention. It has a trampled appearance. Bed # 14 Fox Glen to Sam Smith Park • Weeds in bed under Hawthornes • Azalea and Hawthorne die back. • Why is grass sheared to look like stools? It is not appealing Bed # 15 East of Sam Smith Entry and Davenport Glen Entry • Indian Hawthorne dying on Davenport side. • Scheff lera damaged, next to Davenport, needs replacing • Beds of Pittosporums die back. • Holly tree tipped over Boulevard just before grass at beginning of Glen Eagle Wall • Some of the Ixora needs replacing • Azalea die back • Weeds in end bed. • Why is grass sheared to look like stools? It is not appealing • Trees in front of Sam Smith Park are POOR quality and not Class A. • Holly fern dead. Consider Coontie as replacement. Bed # 16 West of 3 way stop at middle Northern Way and Winter Springs Blvd • Ixora from freeze kill need replacing • Die back Indian Hawthorne. Holes from missing shrubs. • Grass and weeds growing in Jasmine. • Pittosporums have holes from missing plants & dead Pittosporums. • Aztec grass stressed, appears to be from "lack of water" • Organize and fill in liriope. Bed # 17 East of 3 way Stop at Northern Way and Winter Springs Boulevard. • Ixora have been removed but not replaced. Page 15 • Middle part of end of bed needs to landscaped. Plants were removed but not replaced. • Some of the Thryalis is damaged and need replacing • Some Pittosporums are damaged and need replacing • Holly fern is in full sun and is dead, needs to be replaced. • Aztec is stressed appears to be from lack of water. • Pittosporums are damaged, have large holes, missing plants and weeds. • Azaleas on end stressed, in full sun and wilting • Golden mound bed plants have die back from freeze and need to be replaced. • Indian Hawthorne, near the first Wood Duck needs replacing • Pittosporum have large holes and missing plant material • Complete die back of azaleas • Full sun, dead holly fern. • Die back of azalea near Thryalis • Replace Golden mound at end of bed at Glen Eagle entrance • Weeds in beds • Lirope needs fill in. • Replace bad or missing plants Bed # 18 Glen Eagle Entry & Wood Duck Drive #1 Entry • Replace Golden Mound at corner of bed at Glen Eagle entry. • Azaleas missing, here and there in bed. • Pittosporum has holes from missing plant material, also damaged and dead plant material • Thryalis run into/over by mower. This plant material is too high for required driver visibility and should be lowered or removed as it is a safety concern. • Pittosporum damaged by mower • Large area of Green Pittosporum needs replacing from damage • Green Shrub behind agapanthus is entirely too high for required visibility of car drivers. This shrub requires serious lowering, which may not be possible without sacrificing the shrub. But driver safety is the issue. This shrub is beautiful but is an excellent example of "Wrong Plant, Wrong Place". Page 16 • A big issue for this area of the Boulevard is the trees on the Wood Duck side of the street. o These are not "Class A" Boulevard trees. A project to plants trees against each other is not acknowledged by Residential Landscape Architects as suggested landscaping for a Golf Course Community Boulevard. Would this even be considered for placement next to the Country Club? I think not. o These residents opposed these trees when they were planted but were denied consideration. They were told the trees were planted on City property and that we have no say on the matter. o I personally requested that the trees be trimmed as they block visibility for drivers to clear sufficiently prior to pulling onto the Boulevard. I was told there was no funding to trim the trees and that they really did not want them trimmed but they were going to be allowed to grow in natural form. I was cautioned that if residents took it upon themselves to trim the trees, they could be prosecuted. o Recently there was an accident due to poor visibility from Wood Duck onto the Boulevard and we fear more of the same. This project has been and is still a thorn to the neighborhood and community. Bed # 19 Wood Duck Drive #2 to Little Sparrow • Pittosporum damaged, has large areas missing, • Beds need weeding. Bed # 20 Little Sparrow to Northern Way • Azaleas here and there • Mower damage to Pittosporum on both sides. • Thryalis is beautiful, but blocks vehicle visibility and is too high for the bed. This is a tremendous safety issue. As I was stopped at the stop sign traveling toward Oviedo, a vehicle pulled out of the driveway across the Boulevard and turned left into traffic and traveled on to Oviedo. My visibility was obstructed. • This area is poorly maintained. Page 17 Bed # 21 Winter Springs Boulevard East of Bridge The entire area from beginning bed just over the Bridge all the way to Seneca Boulevard needs extensive work. The Jasmine beds are filled with crabgrass and weeds and Bermuda grass. It is an embarrassment. If you will walk it then you can easily see the needs. • Weeds and more weeds • Ligustrum die back • 3/a of bed of Aztec has bare spots and die back • Jasmine is burned, dying and needs to be removed and crabgrass & Bermuda grass killed. Suggestions for other material should be considered as there is too much Jasmine. • Hawthorne near end has large holes and die back • End cap under ligustrum needs fill in or replacing Bed # 22 Winter Springs Boulevard West of Chestnut Estates • Weeds on corners • Die back of Jasmine • Large elevated Water Pipe dripping water • Green Pittosporum has mower damage • Weeds and grasses in Jasmine • Pittosporum damaged along edges throughout the entire island • Scheff lera die back from cold weather. • Holly dead and die back Bed # 23 Chestnut Estates to Seneca Boulevard This is an entry into Tuscawilla and badly needs attention. • Scheff lera die back • Weeds in Jasmine • Corner of Seneca at the Monument, the Jasmine is filled with weeds/dollar weed. • Flax lily Page 18 LANDSCAPE ASSESMENT CONCLUSIONS ASSUMPTIONS: • It is apparent there are numerous trees that will need to be replaced beginning at our front entry fountains and on the Boulevard. • It is apparent that there is extensive plant material that must be replaced throughout the TLBD o In order to bring the TLBD areas up to previous standards. We have been told that the entire sprinkler system needs to be redone o With a suggested estimate being "in the ball park" of $70,000. RECOMMENDATIONS: First, I recommend that we research and locate an irrigation expert, trained, certified and fully accredited in every way in irrigation. Retain this expert to evaluate the TLBD sprinkler system and give us their professional opinion. If it is determined that the system does in fact need to be replaced, then I recommend that we hire an irrigation professional to design the system. The job should then be put out to bid with specific requirements regarding those bidding. It is imperative that a fully qualified consultant be utilized for both of these tasks. Second, I recommend that we hire a horticulture professional consultant that is fully trained and educated, degreed and knowledgeable in Central Florida horticulture to create a design for the landscape renovation. It is imperative that the information that we are given is the latest and most accurate. An addition requirement would be that this individual be completely up to date on all diseases and weakness of plants. (I have two in mind that are of the best in the state.) This consultant would be given the task of recommending plant material and developing a landscape plan that will work best in Tuscawilla. Many of our current Boulevard plants are too large and require constant trimming or shearing. Often time it is necessary to sacrifice them as they are too large or tall for the area in which they were planted and are a safety hazard. If we select the right plant that will grow no higher than the allowance then we save in many ways. Many of our plants require sun and are in shade or require shade and are in sun. There are just many things to be considered. Mistakes have been made but that is no reason to continue making the same mistakes over and over again. Third, I recommend that we schedule TLBD meetings more often than every three months to get this TLBD project up to TLBD standards. Page 19 Date: July 15, 2009 There are pictures on file in the City Clerk's Office pertaining to the Landscape Assessment presented during Agenda Item "604" at the 2009 07 15 Regular TLBD Meeting.